There were some interesting developments this week for fantasy owners, most of them concerning potential camp holdouts. Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander signed his one-year franchise tender of $6.3 million and, in exchange, received assurances that Seattle would not place the franchise tag on him next season, they’ll negotiate in earnest on a long-term contract, and they won’t trade him during the season without his permission. This is great news for fantasy owners as now Alexander will report to camp on time and should be a top-five selection in any draft. Another running back threatening to miss camp, the Colts’ Edgerrin James, signed his one-year tender of $8.1 million and projects as a top-10 back and solid late-first/early second round pick, while Packers receiver Javon Walker, whose contract situation had the potential to get real ugly, reported to camp this week as well, resigned to playing under a deal he feels he’s outperformed.
Then there’s the Saints’ Deuce McAllister, a big disappointment last year for fantasy owners who nabbed him in the middle of the first round. Deuce inked a seven-year contract extension that’ll make him the highest paid player in franchise history and the second-highest paid back in the league. This is a huge indication that the Saints are intent on making McAllister the focal point of their offense once again, which makes the former Mississippi star a huge value pick this year. Don’t forget that McAllister ran for 1,388 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2002 while totaling more than 1,600 yards and eight scores in 2003. Last season’s “meager” totals of 1,074 yards and nine touchdowns weren’t first-round worthy, but Deuce sure looks like a first-round choice this year, even though you should be able to get him in the second or, if you’re real lucky, maybe even the third.
